Wire guard



June 24, 1930. E. BURKE 1,765,823

WIRE GUARD Filed April 5, 1928 Patented June 24, 1930 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDMUND BURKE, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, ASSIGNOR '10 BROWN COMPANY, OF BERLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE WIRE GUARD This invention relates to a guard to be placed about a wire either to protect the wire from being chafed by other objects or to prevent injury to other objects through contact with the wire. One use for such a guard is found in the case of electric wires which pass near to the branches of a tree. Such wires are often covered with insulation, and this insulation is liable to be worn and chafed by the movement of branches nearby under the action of wind. By my invention, I provide a strong and durable guard to protect the Wires from being chafed by swinging branches, this guard being readily applied and being economical to produce. Another analogous use for my improved wire guard is found in cases where guy wires are attached to telephone poles, or the like. In such cases, the guy wires are often difficult to see, especially at night, so that a pedestrian is liable to trip thereover. By surrounding the lower portion of the guy portion with a wire guard, this portion is made conspicuous and there is less chance of accidental contact therewith. For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description and t0 the drawing of which,

Figure 1 represents in perspective a split tube embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is an elevation showing the guard mounted on a wire, a portion being broken away.

Figure 3 is an elevation showing an electric wire and a guy wire, each having a guard thereon.

Referring to the drawing in detail, 10 represents a section of fibrous tubing such as may be made by winding paper with a suitable adhesive or by winding a sheet of wet pulp on a mandrel under pressure so as to compress and mutually interfelt the successive convolutions. Such a tube after being dried may be saturated with a suitable waterproofing compound such as pitch, asphalt or an equivalent, this waterproofing compound resulting in a harder product as well as a waterproof tube. Such material is relatively rigid but has a certain amount of natural resilience so that if moderately dis= torted, it springs back into shape. In order to make it possible for the tube to be placed about a wire which is already strung, I preferably slit the. tube from end to end with a single longitudinal slit 11 through the wall thereof. The edges of the slit may be pried apart sufliciently to permit the introduction of the wire therebetween. The edges of the slit may then be allowed to spring together and the tube may be reinforced by suitable tie members 12 secured thereabout. In order to prevent the guard from working along the wire and to maintain the guard in its proper place, the ends of the guard may be secured to the wire as by wrapping with adhesive tape as at 13.

Figure 3 indicates the use of a guard 10 on an electric wire 14: which passes within reach of some of the branches of a tree. The guard 10 may be of any desired length to protect as much of the wire 14 as is liable to be touched by any of the branches. Another guard 10 is also illustrated in Figure 8 surrounding a guy wire 15. In this case, the taping of the ends of the guard to the wire is not necessary since the guard naturally rests by gravity at the lower end of the guy wire.

Having thus described certain embodiments of this invention, it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made therein without departing from its spirit or scope as defined by the appended claim.

I claim The combination with a wire, of a tubular guard, formed of asphalt saturated felted fibrous material, having a slot extending throughout its length and permitting positioning of the guard on the wire, and a bind ing of adhesive tape surrounding and engaging both the guard at one end and a section of the wire beyond said end.

In testimony whereof I have aifixed my signature.

EDMUND BURKE. 

